How do I launch DAB at server start?

[GustavBrock]

I have set up DAB to start and listen to port 8080 and 8081 using a command file like this, which I can call when logged on to the server as an admin user:

setlocal
set ASPNETCORE_URLS=http://api.example.com:8080;https://api.example.com:8081
"c:\program files\dab\dab.exe" start -c "c:\programdata\dab\dab-config.json" 
endlocal

But I wish this to happen whenever the server has rebooted - without a user login.
What is the recommended method to achieve that, please?

[severussundar]

Hi @GustavBrock, thank you for the question

One way to achieve this is by making use of the Windows Registry. You can create a script with the commands that you have provided in your description and create an entry in one of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run or HKEY_CURRENT_USER_SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Runonce (There are more options available in the Windows registry, I would encourage you to kindly go through other options as well to determine the one that best fits your use-case). Creating an entry in windows registry essentially enables the execution of your script as soon as the server starts/re-starts.

[GustavBrock]

Thanks a lot. Will check it out later today.

[GustavBrock]

@severussundar , that was not the best method, as Run and RunOnce are handled only at a user logon.

Ideally, it should run as a service, but I can't get sc.exe to create the service from dab.exe.
However, here is a poor-man's method taking advantage of Task Scheduler:

First, set the environment variable that specifies the listening ports in:
Settings, System, About, Advance System Settings, System Properties:

Click Environment Variables and then New ... and specify your URLs:

Click OK to save it.

Next, open Task Scheduler and create a new task, DAB having properties like these where you use a user account having priviliges to execute Dab:

Save the task and try to run it manually; it should load, and the Task Manager should display dab.exe to be running:

Anyone, feel free to suggest alternative methods.

[seantleonard]

There are instructions on how to host an ASP.NET app as a Windows Service here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/host-and-deploy/windows-service?view=aspnetcore-6.0&tabs=visual-studio

Additionally, you can host with IIS: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/tutorials/publish-to-iis?view=aspnetcore-6.0&tabs=visual-studio

Note: these may require you to add additional settings to "appsettings.json" the is in DAB's package folder.

[GustavBrock]

But none of these methods can use dab.exe "as is", right?
I would have to use the source code (not a big problem, I have VS2022 running).